Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

a technology of hydrocarbon gas and processing equipment, applied in the direction of liquefaction, separation process, lighting and heating equipment, etc., can solve the problems of no improvement in the recovery of csub>2, no significant improvement in the operation of the fig. 4 process,

Active Publication Date: 2018-03-01
UOP LLC +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention combines multiple equipment items into a single housing, reducing both space and cost. The more compact design improves product recovery, process efficiency, and reduces operating costs. It also eliminates the need for flanges that can cause leakages and damage the environment. The invention can achieve high recoveries of C2 and C3 components, and is particularly useful for processing feed gases at high pressures and temperatures.

Problems solved by technology

A comparison of Tables I and IV shows that, compared to the FIG. 1 process, the FIG. 4 process does not offer any significant improvement when operated to recover the maximum amount of C2 components.
Without any driving force, there is no condensation of the heavier components from the combined vapor stream rising from separator section 117b, so no rectification can take place and there is no improvement in the recovery of C2 components between the FIG. 1 process and the FIG. 4 process.

Method used

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Examples

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example 1

[0049]In those cases where it is desirable to maximize the recovery of C2 components in the liquid product (as in the FIG. 1 prior art process described previously, for instance), the present invention offers significant efficiency advantages over the prior art processes depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of the FIG. 1 prior an process that has been adapted to use the present invention. The operating conditions of the FIG. 5 process have been adjusted as shown to increase the ethane-content of the liquid product above the level that is possible with the FIGS. 1 and 4 prior art processes. The feed gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 5 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 4. Accordingly, the FIG. 5 process can be compared with that of the FIGS. 1 and 4 processes to illustrate the advantages of the present invention.

[0050]Most of the process conditions shown for the FIG. 5 process are much the same as the corresponding pr...

example 2

[0063]FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of the FIG. 1 prior art process that has been adapted to use another embodiment of the present invention. The operating conditions of the FIG. 6 process have been adjusted as shown to increase the ethane content of the liquid product above the level that is possible with the FIGS. 1 and 4 prior art processes. The feed gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 6 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 4. Accordingly, the FIG. 6 process can be compared with that of the FIGS. 1 and 4 processes to illustrate the advantages of the present invention, and can likewise be compared to the embodiment displayed in FIG. 5.

[0064]Most of the process conditions shown for the FIG. 6 embodiment of the present invention are much the same as the corresponding process conditions for the FIG. 5 embodiment of the present invention. The main difference is the source of the gas (stream 151) supplied to reflux compressor 22. In the FIG. 6...

example 3

[0072]FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of the FIG. 1 prior art process that has been adapted to use another embodiment of the present invention. The operating conditions of the FIG. 7 process have been adjusted as shown to increase the ethane content of the liquid product above the level that is possible with the FIGS. 1 and 4 prior art processes. The feed gas composition and conditions considered in the process presented in FIG. 7 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 4. Accordingly, the FIG. 7 process can be compared with that of the FIGS. 1 and 4 processes to illustrate the advantages of the present invention, and can likewise be compared to the embodiments displayed in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0073]Most of the process conditions shown for the FIG. 7 embodiment of the

[0074]present invention are much the same as the corresponding process conditions for the FIG. 6 embodiment of the present invention. The main difference is the disposition of the flash expanded stream (stream 151c) after it h...

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Abstract

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied, to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a process and apparatus for improving the separation of gas containing hydrocarbons. Assignees S.M.E. Products LP and Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. were parties to a joint research agreement that was in effect before the invention of this application was made. The applicants claim the benefits under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of prior U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 379,992 which was filed on Aug. 26, 2016.[0002]Ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, and / or heavier hydrocarbons can he recovered from a variety of gases, such as natural gas, refinery gas, and synthetic gas streams obtained from other hydrocarbon materials such as coal, crude oil, naphtha, oil shale, tar sands, and lignite. Natural gas usually has a major proportion of methane and ethane, i.e., methane and ethane together comprise at least 50 mole percent of the gas. The gas also contains relatively lesser amounts of heavier hydrocarbons such as ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F25J3/02
CPCF25J3/0214F25J3/0295F25J3/0257F25J3/0238F25J3/0209F25J3/0233F25J3/0242F25J2200/02F25J2200/30F25J2200/74F25J2200/80F25J2205/04F25J2230/08F25J2230/32F25J2235/60F25J2240/02F25J2270/02F25J2270/88F25J2270/90F25J2280/02F25J2290/40F25J2290/80B01D53/00F25J3/02F25J3/06F25J2200/04
InventorLYNCH, JOE T.WILKINSON, JOHN D.HUDSON, HANK M.MILLER, SCOTT A.CUELLAR, KYLE T.JOHNKE, ANDREW F.LEWIS, W. LARRY
OwnerUOP LLC